Top 4 Reasons Why Traditional Cybersecurity Solutions Aren’t Enough

It’s easy to assume that cybercriminals are only interested in going after big targets, but to do so would be a costly mistake. In fact, Symantec found that 43% of attacks specifically target small organizations. The reality is that the enormous amounts of data that small businesses routinely generate, as well as their common lack of security measures, make them a favorite target for hackers.

Traditional cybersecurity solutions, such as firewalls and antivirus programs, rely on the same underlying technology that businesses have been using for decades. While that’s not to say that these measures are now redundant (they’re certainly not), you’d be leaving your business open to an unacceptable level of risk if you were to rely on them entirely. Here are four of the top reasons why:

#1. Malware Is Becoming More Sophisticated

Technology might be more sophisticated than it has ever been, but as the number of internet-connected devices used for business continues to skyrocket, so do the number of potential vulnerabilities. Just like the technology it exploits, malware is becoming more varied and multifaceted to the extent that targeted attacks can now bypass blacklisting methods used by off-the-shelf antivirus software.

To protect your organization from the rising multitude of digital threats, you need to adopt a policy of proactive response rather than a reactive one. That means you need round-the-clock monitoring to detect suspicious behavior, which is more effective than detecting known threats already listed in a database.

#2. Traditional Security Measures Are Reactive

The world of cybercrime has morphed into a high level of sophistication that sees new threats appear every day, and many of these elude traditional security systems. A lot of victims react only when it’s too late, instead of planning for the worst-case scenario beforehand. Sure, antivirus might pick up malware on your computer, but probably not before a hacker has already gained access and done considerable damage.

To keep up with the onslaught of new threats such as zero-day exploits and the latest phishing scams, businesses need to change their mindsets from reactive to proactive. In other words, you need to believe that an attack can happen at any time and without any warning. This proactive methodology involves predicting attacks by minimizing the attack surface and isolating any vulnerabilities by conducting a full risk assessment.

#3. Targeted Attacks Are Becoming More Common

What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think about cybersecurity? Many people would state something along the lines of computer viruses or other forms of malicious software. Indeed, malware remains a problem and will continue to be one for the foreseeable future, but most attacks don’t even involve malicious code. Many don’t even need a computer to function!

Hackers carry out targeted attacks often in various forms of social engineering, and these attacks have the same goal in common – to encourage a victim to take a desired action. That might involve downloading malware or visiting a compromised website, but oftentimes these attacks are much more sophisticated.

Instead of relying on technology itself, social engineering scammers are likely to dupe victims into giving away confidential data by posing as someone the victim already knows. This tactic relies on building trust, and it doesn’t use technology at all. To avoid falling for this trap, you need a rigid staff-training program to raise awareness of such scams. After all, the weakest link in any organization is usually the human element.

#4. Cybercrime Is Constantly Evolving

Technology is always evolving and so does cybercrime. While a new technology might present many benefits to a business, hackers might see it as an opportunity. A good example is the rising tide of the Internet of Things, which incorporates a constantly expanding portfolio of internet-connected ‘smart’ devices from wireless CCTV systems to web-enabled point-of-sale systems.

As technology gets more diversified and complicated, attackers are looking at the bigger picture, targeting things like supply chains and other systems less likely to be secured. That’s why every business needs to implement a constantly evolving cybersecurity strategy that involves both proactive and reactive measures, as well as a robust disaster recovery plan.

After reading about the multitude of cyberthreats facing your business, it’s easy to get disheartened and start thinking of technology as your enemy. But with Dyrand Systems on your side, you can stay focused on your business while we take care of your security. Call us today to get started with your free assessment.